St. John Film Society Presents “The Wind That Blows” February 7

The St. John Film Society (SJFS) is pleased to announce a one-time screening of The Wind That Blows – Whaling in Bequia, February 7h at the St. John School of The Arts in Cruz Bay beginning at 7:30pm. Documentary filmmaker Tom Weston, who has earned the “Audience Choice” and “Best Cinematography” awards from the “Bloody Hero International Film Festival” in Phoenix, AR., will be present for the screening.

In the mid-19th century, Yankee whalers enlisted seamen from such places as tiny Bequia in the Grenadine islands of the British West Indies. One of those men purchased two whaleboats from the Yankees and Bequia’s history of whaling began. To the consternation of many, Bequia’s whalers continue the tradition to this day. The Wind That Blows affectionately examines the lives of this unique group. These men, whose lives are entwined with nature, seek sustenance for their families and neighbors but, in the process, bestow something else: identity. Production of this award-winning documentary began in 1989 and continued through 2013. During that time, tourism established itself as Bequia’s prime industry, luring people away from the trades and traditions of the past. Hotels, new roads, an airport, and other improvements transformed Bequia’s appearance… and its soul. Amidst the clamor of globalization, The Wind That Blows gives a deserved voice to a humble community on a tiny island clinging to a proud past.

The Wind That Blows is a story about the conservation of whales, heroes, and the unique identity of a tiny Caribbean island. Spanning an entire generation, this film challenges conventional thought about the impact of global conservation and modernization.

Weston discovered the story of the whalers of Bequia in 1988 while on holiday. His vacation spun into a life altering 20-year journey to tell the small Caribbean island’s story.

“Sometimes we are drawn to a story that is so filled with irony, ambiguity, beauty, dismay and truth that it compels us to take a drastic departure from our normal lives and try to capture a fleeting moment. In hindsight it may seem reckless, even foolish. So be it. This movie is my labor of love.” – Tom Weston

Co-sponsored by:
CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD) is the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and is the reference point for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. CTWD aims to raise the international profile of film brand Caribbean — a fiercely Caribbean aesthetic that will capture the global imagination in terms of film and television — in order to penetrate the highly competitive international film and television marketplace. CTWD supports community organizations and partnerships with not-for-profit organizations and charitable entities in an attempt to bring the Film Caribbean brand to communities who may not be able to see them otherwise.

Screenings will be held on the first Tuesday of the month at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay. Upcoming screenings will take place on March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6. On Tuesday Feb. 21, we will have a special pre-release screening of Vanishing Sail.

A $5.00 donation is suggested at each screening. Membership for the 2017 SJFS Season is $40 for an individual and $60 for a couple.

More about Tom WestonTom is a New York based cinematographer having worked on a wide variety of productions in his 35-year career from Woody Allen’s “Stardust Memories” as camera assistant to camera operator on Craig Brewers indie, “Hustle and Flow”.

In recent years, he served as director of photography of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and CBS’s “A Gifted Man.” Other credits include camera operator and Second Unit director of photography on “Sex and the City”, “The Big C”, “The Black List” and numerous feature films. Tom also served two terms as National Vice President of the International Cinematographers Guild.

In the early 90’s, while working on “The Wind That Blows”, Tom established the Grenadines Motion Picture Company (GMPC) producing music videos, promotional films and TV commercials based in Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Retired now from the rat-race of studio film production, he plans to continue filmmaking on a smaller scale (revitalizing GMPC) while he and his wife of 37 years, Janet, share time between their beloved Bequia and a new home on the Chesapeake Bay.

SJFS is supported in part by the Virgin Island Council on the Arts and St John Community Foundation. For more information, contact the St John Film Society stjviff@gmail.com or visit www.stjohnfilm.com

ST. JOHN FILM SOCIETY PRESENTS: “The Wind That Blows”DATE: Tuesday, February 7th, 2017
TIME: 7:30pm
PLACE: St. John School of The Arts, Cruz Bay
WEBSITE: www.stjohnfilm.comCONTACT: Andrea E. Leland (340)715-0551/ stjviff@gmail.com